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WHEREAS, according to data of reported crashes compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 4,106 pedestrians and 1,127 bicyclists were injured in crashes throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2017; and,
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WHEREAS, restrictions in State Motor Vehicle Code limit the ability of local jurisdictions to implement certain roadway designs proven to be effective in protecting vulnerable users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and individuals with limited mobility. Local jurisdictions are also prohibited from experimenting with roadway designs based on best engineering judgement; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh is a complicated, dynamic, and vibrant city with many different modes of travel and mobility options; the power to regulate the safe and equitable use of the right-of-way should be devolved to the most local level of government possible; and,
WHEREAS, despite a demonstrated desire for more mobility choices from residents of dense urban cities and mobility-challenged small towns alike, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has not updated its Motor Vehicle Code to allow for more bicycle and pedestrian-focused policies and discourage behavior that endangers the lives of vulnerable users in many years; and,
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code mandates that parking must occur within 12 inches of the curb, effectively preventing the installation of Parking Protected Bike Lanes, which allow parked vehicles to serve as a barrier between vehicle lanes and bicycle lanes. In the past, legislation has been introduced in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate to permit parking to occur with 12 inches of a bike lane buffer; and,
WHEREAS, a pedestrian is twice as likely to be killed by a vehicle that is traveling 30 miles per hour as a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour and three times as likely to be killed by a vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour. Despite this staggering statistic, local law enforcement is prohibited under ...
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